Has 'Traditional' Diplomacy become outmoded?

When discussing ‘traditional’ and ‘new’ diplomacy it is important to note that it is not the aims of diplomatic relations that have changed but the way these relations are carried out. Traditional diplomacy has its roots in the ancient world of the Greek city-states and was further developed in renaissance Europe with kingdoms authorising embassies and ambassadors to work abroad on their behalf.  This ‘Traditional’ diplomacy was renowned for it’s secretive, aristocratic nature.  It was not until after the First World War  (a conflict which diplomacy failed to avert) that new or ‘post-Wilsonian’ diplomacy came into existence.  This style of international politics advocates a more open and public form of diplomacy, one where embassies and ambassadors not only implement but also influence Foreign Policy decisions. The art of diplomacy, it may be argued, became less about ‘high politics’ and more inclusive of issues hitherto disregarded in international relations.

            This change in diplomacy was not a single, swift action but instead appears to be a continual process. For example the rise in both numbers and importance of non-state actors has risen dramatically in years since Versailles (arguably the fist outing of ‘new’ diplomacy). This time period has also seen the dramatic sweep of decolonisation, creating countries that may very well have not been excepted into the ‘old boys’ club that was traditional diplomacy.  Diplomats now have to deal with a vast array of pressures that were non-existent in the early years of the 20^th Century, it is also true therefore that the actual scope of activities has risen dramatically. Diplomats not only are charged with carrying out their home countries will but also in promoting said country’s image (and during the Cold War ideology) abroad.

In conclusion however I would not write off ‘Old’ diplomacy as a dead or unnecessary art but instead one which has evolved, taking the best of what was and adding what is needed to make it work now. It would be very naïve for example to assume that no Diplomacy is carried out in secret, or that diplomacy is not still carried out in some instances by members of the upper classes. Yet it would be equally Naïve to claim diplomacy is the same as it was a century ago. Traditional Diplomacy is not dead, it just grew up.